The delayed and much-needed multi-billion-rand expansion plans for Cape Town International and OR Tambo International airports are back on the radar of the Airports Company South Africa after being forced to be put on ice when the Covid pandemic hit in 2020.
“As per the five-year permission recently granted by the Economic Regulating Committee, Acsa has earmarked R21.7 billion for airport infrastructure development,” said Chikunga. Chikunga added that this will be the largest capital investment programme by Acsa since South Africa’s preparations ahead of the Fifa World Cup in 2010.
She added that as part of Phase 2 of this project “a new mezzanine level will be constructed to enhance circulation and optimise seating and holding space”.The upgrades are likely to be welcomed by passengers as well as the aviation and tourism sectors as OR Tambo International is in need of a much-needed makeover, with facilities that have deteriorated over the years.
“Secondly, the initiation and development of the realigned runway development project is anticipated within the permission period,” she added. With no mention of the international terminal expansion in Cape Town, Acsa may well be planning on spending less than the R7 billion-plus overall investment in Cape Town International that it cited back in 2019. However, with significant growth in international passenger traffic to the airport, it will be under pressure to expand the international terminal too.